Which and why?

[Pudge]

Assuming same price and condition for Colt 357 4" and 3 screw Blackhawk 6 1/2", which would you choose, and why?

I have 4" .357's and a New Model Blackhawk, but no Colts and no 3 screws. I'm a little concerned about the Colt's durability, but neither of these would get shot tons, I have workhorses, so realistically that isn't a factor. I don't really know where I fall, but I'm interested in your opinions as I figure mine out.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

So this is a "357" model Colt? Genuine "357"s go for big $$$ in good condition, far more than any Blackhawk.

Money aside, I would still take any vintage Colt .357 over a Blackhawk. Nothing against Blackhawks, Ive had them and like them, but I LOVE my E/I Frame Colts.

(Ok theres a D-frame in there too, lol)

Ya, you can wear them out with high counts of hot ammo, but the whole "fragility" thing is overrated. If it checks out mechanically, no reason it wont last for decades more with a modicum of care.

 

[entropy]

Which Colt .357? They made more than a few models over the years, and currently make 2.

 

[red rick]

If it were for hunting or target shooting the Blackhawk with the longer barrel . If I were going to carry it some and plink with it the Colt .

 

[Palladan44]

We need more details not only about these 2 firearms In question, but also about your needs, and even then you'll get opinions both ways.
Do you want to hunt with it, or will this be a "night stand" gun? Are you solely interested in functionality, or collector value?
With the Colt 357, condition is everything when it comes to the value of it.
And, as far as functionality, I get worried about older Colts developing timing issues and requiring hundreds of dollars of repairs....if you can even find a gunsmith that can (or wants) to do it.
The lockwork in the Colt is nearly identical to the Old Python action, less some extra polishing and tuning IIRC.
My old 1968 Trooper (nearly Identical to the "357") action went out of time in SA, but when the trigger was squeezed, it would click in just a millisecond before firing. I actually Sold that one with the known issue off to someone who wanted to fix it....it's long gone.

 

[ontarget]

Which model Colt?
Realistically if it's a vintage Colt of any model that is discontinued I'd go with the Colt. For the record I own 2x more Blackhawks than I do Colts.
And 10x Rugers in general.

 

[J-Bar]

Blackhawk.

When customer service is needed, you will get it.

 

[CajunBass]

Single actions of any make, model, or caliber are pretty low of my list of "gotta have's."

 

[cfullgraf]

I never had a Colt revolver until I bought a new Pyhon a couple years ago. They were always too pricey, still are, but the stock market has been good to me recently. Colt 1911's are a different matter.

I do like my Python and Anaconda.

I have a couple Blackhawks (45 Colt, 44 Special and 357 Magnum) and a Single Six (22LR) and a Single Seven (327 Fed Mag). Great, reliable hand guns. But, I do not get along with shooting a center fire single action. I have not developed a grip that does not end up with my knuckles getting wrapped under recoil.

So, decide what fits your hand and shooting style and have fun.

 

[Pat Riot]

Blackhawk.
I only own 1 Colt. It’s a Detective Special made in 1982. When I got it I thought the mainspring was weak so I went on a search for a Colt gunsmith.
I recall one gunsmith I spoke to saying “Good luck with that” when I told him I wanted to find a gunsmith to go through my “bucket list” gun and make it like new. At first I thought “What a jerk!”. After searching a while for someone who could do the work and not have at least a year backlog I gave up. I bought a new mainspring and had a local smith install it. He admitted that he really didn’t know much about the older Colts and that he wouldn’t go through it and check everything. He could safety test it but didn’t really know enough to know what would be needed if something was wrong and he couldn’t get new parts.

Also, I agree with @J-Bar above.

Do yourself a favor. Do a search for “old model Colt revolver gunsmith” then do the same for the Blackhawk. Then decide.

 

[vanfunk]

You can always get a Blackhawk. In fact, I am thinking about getting a stainless .45 Colt Blackhawk today. BUT, given the specific choice you’ve outlined, the Colt .357 is the one to buy. The actions on these are buttery and their accuracy is excellent. And they haven’t been made in ages. In the unlikely event that you have a mechanical problem with it, send it to Frank Glenn in Phoenix; he works on the old actions and is a maestro.

So buy the Colt and love it for being the beautiful and accurate, rare revolver that it is. THEN go buy a Blackhawk at any gunstore that suits your fancy.

 

[Pudge]

We need more details not only about these 2 firearms In question, but also about your needs, and even then you'll get opinions both ways.
Do you want to hunt with it, or will this be a "night stand" gun? Are you solely interested in functionality, or collector value?
With the Colt 357, condition is everything when it comes to the value of it.
And, as far as functionality, I get worried about older Colts developing timing issues and requiring hundreds of dollars of repairs....if you can even find a gunsmith that can (or wants) to do it.
The lockwork in the Colt is nearly identical to the Old Python action, less some extra polishing and tuning IIRC.
My old 1968 Trooper (nearly Identical to the "357") action went out of time in SA, but when the trigger was squeezed, it would click in just a millisecond before firing. I actually Sold that one with the known issue off to someone who wanted to fix it....it's long gone.

Neither fill a need I don't have covered. I may purchase one, but will not buy both. I'm not asking you to decide for me, I'm asking "Which would you prefer, and why?"

 

[Pudge]

Which Colt .357? They made more than a few models over the years, and currently make 2.

Not the caliber, the model, prior to the Python Colt made a 357 as their flagship, then made a higher end revolver built on the same design and called it the Python.

 

[Armored farmer]

I have both. I rarely shoot the Blackhawk. It is unnecessarily heavy. Not that I don't like it, but I prefer the more svelte d/a revolver for targets and carry. In fact just while plinking around the swing out cylinder is more friendly for catching brass and reloading imho.

 

[jmorris]

Assuming same price and condition for Colt 357 4" and 3 screw Blackhawk 6 1/2", which would you choose, and why?

With only that information, the Colt. I can't think of a Colt 357, I couldn't sell for more than a blackhawk. So even if I wanted another blackhawk, I'd just resell the colt, pick up a bh and pocket the extra cash...

 

[bannockburn]

I don't have much interest or use for a .357 Blackhawk with a 6 1/2" barrel. Plus I already have a 3 screw .357 Blackhawk to play with.

Given the two choices I would go with the Colt .357, primarily as an occasional range companion.

 

[Palladan44]

Colt 1911's are a different matter.

The current release model "o" stock 1911s from Colt are super smooth, accurate and well made. Tight and smooth. They even feature National Match grade barrels out of their base line 1911s The 2 things I don't like are:
1- They don't polish them, and the bluing is more like a black. I know this is a pricey step that requires more manual labor, but traditionally this is what separates Colts from the rest. I know they offer a polished version, but those go for double and good luck finding one.
2- The laser engraving vs. Roll marking leaves a lot to be desired. Also wish the coarse impressions left on the edges of
the engraving were polished smooth. They're so rough, it's like a file. They catch microfiber when you wipe the gun down. All I can say is "Booo" on these matters.

If these 2 things were amended, I'd be buying multiples of these out of shear obsession over them, but rather only have 1 of the brand new ones that has the mid century commercial engraving.

 

[eddiememphis]

Colt.

Old guns are cool. Preserving a piece of history and all that.

A Colt 357 is getting to be a rare piece, and there weren't that many of them made. Grab it while you can because you may not come across another one for a while.

Blackhawks are very common and as someone else said if you want one, you can get one anytime.

 

[Palladan44]

Neither fill a need I don't have covered. I may purchase one, but will not buy both. I'm not asking you to decide for me, I'm asking "Which would you prefer, and why?"

Got it. And thanks for editing your original post. If the condition was above 90 or 95% on the Colt, and the timing was still like a bank vault, I would take that one hands down.
I already have my shooter grade pieces covered, but there's always more room for collectible pieces to gain value, rather than a Blackhawk that will only appreciate as much as inflation at best, I were to be lucky.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

Years ago Bullseye shooters used the Colt Officer's Models, no complaints about durability. S&W introduced their L frame to compete with the Python/Trooper.
3 screw Rugers discontinued in 1973 so they're a little scarce. Only caveat with the pre-Mark III Colts is finding someone who understands them and can work on them.

 

[Palladan44]

S&W introduced their L frame to compete with the Python/Trooper.

Hmm. I always thought it was more to improve on their own designs (which were already dominant in the market anyways) The N frame was the original, but durable and a bit too Bulky. The K frames were great in size, but had some durability issues. The L frame intention was to have N durability with more compact K desirable handling/carry characteristics. The L was introduced to better their own designs, IMHO.

I think a M19 held up better than the Pythons in the field as it stood anyways, even with the Cone cracks.
The 686 is probably the best selling revolver of all time, and the Pythons and Troopers quickly disappeared....making them quite elusive and collectable.
I think Colt had a good thing going with their MK3s but the corporation couldn't keep their s#!t together. The history of that Corporation along with the holdings, parent companies, etc is mind blowing!!!

 

[Old_Grouch]

I'm a little concerned about the Colt's durability,

The overwhelming majority of the population doesn't have enough disposable income to afford enough ammunition, even if reloading, to wear out a high quality gun whether it be Colt, Ruger, S&W, etc. If you do have the expendable cash to do that your financial situation is such that the cost of a new gun would be insignificant.
Relax, buy the one you like best (or, better yet, both), shoot it, enjoy it (them).

 

[Palladan44]

The overwhelming majority of the population doesn't have enough disposable income to afford enough ammunition, even if reloading, to wear out a high quality gun whether it be Colt, Ruger, S&W, etc.

But the Colt is already how many years old with who knows how much wear on it already.

 

[silicosys4]

The Colt .357 is much more rare than the Blackhawk, and IMO a higher quality gun.
I've never been a fan of the Blackhawk and Super Blackhawks though. They are just a big and clunky gun for what they are, especially the .357's. Durable, maybe, but there are a lot of .357 single actions out there with smaller frames that have been doing the same thing for as long while being much handier at it.

 

[Old_Grouch]

But the Colt is already how many years old with who knows how much wear on it already.

The same can be said for the Blackhawk. The OP's question was "Assuming same price and condition for Colt 357 4" and 3 screw Blackhawk 6 1/2", which would you choose, and why?